Laghidze water (Georgian: ლაღიძის წყალი) is a popular Georgian soft drink based on soda and a variety of natural syrups. It has been traditionally mixed in a glass from a soda fountain,[1] but it is also available as a bottled soft drink in a range of flavors.[2] Some American food writers liken it to egg cream, but the authentic Georgian drink includes neither milk nor chocolate syrup.[3]
Laghidze water is named after Mitrofan Laghidze, a pharmacist's apprentice in Kutaisi, Georgia, who in 1887 explored the idea of using natural syrups instead of imported flavored essences in making lemonades. In 1900, the Lagidze Brothers plant in Kutaisi began blending unique proprietary flavors from herbs and fruits.[4] Today, Lagidze waters are produced in a wide range of natural flavors, including quince (aiva), pear, citrus fruit, cherry, tarragon, and others.[2] Lagidze waters are distributed in Russia, Ukraine, the three Baltic states, Poland, and Armenia.[5] The technology and culture of the Lagidze Waters were inscribed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Georgia list in 2014.[6][7]
- ^ "Lagidze Water soda fountain in Tbilisi, Georgia".[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b "Bottled Lagidze Water range". Archived from the original on April 24, 2009.
- ^ Lagidze water and egg cream, New York Times, Home and Garden section, 15 June 1988
- ^ "The history of Lagidze water". Archived from the original on April 24, 2009.
- ^ "Lagidze water distributors". Archived from the original on April 24, 2009.
- ^ "არამატერიალური კულტურული მემკვიდრეობა" [Intangible Cultural Heritage] (PDF) (in Georgian). National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
- ^ "UNESCO Culture for development indicators for Georgia (Analytical and Technical Report)" (PDF). EU-Eastern Partnership Culture & Creativity Programme. October 2017. pp. 82–88. Retrieved 25 October 2017.